Yan Qingqing and Li Xiangjian both tacitly agreed not to mention Xiao Mochen's identity again.
Yan Qingqing first took Li Xiangjian to see the sand table she had made.
At first, Li Xiangjian couldn't understand it, but after Yan Qingqing's explanation, he became more and more impressed.
Yan Qingqing made a sand table of Canghe Village, which clearly shows the terrain and landforms.
Although Li Xiangjian had never been on the battlefield, he had learned how to read maps and how to lead troops in battle over the past few days.
But where can you see this clearly on a map?
Seeing Li Xiangjian's shock, Yan Qingqing continued, "Actually, this thing also has drawbacks. It's labor-intensive and time-consuming, not to mention that it might not be suitable for large areas. Moreover, it can't be carried around and can't be reused."
Yan Qingqing was right; while the sand table had its advantages, its drawbacks were also obvious.
Li Xiangjian then said, "Mother, this thing may have drawbacks in conquering cities and seizing territories, but it is of great benefit in guarding the border. Your son knows how to use it flexibly."
Moreover, the son wouldn't have revealed this skill unless he was absolutely certain.
Yan Qingqing looked at Li Xiangjian with satisfaction. It seemed that the child had indeed made progress. His mind had also become much more meticulous.
Xiao Mochen came over while the mother and daughter were talking inside.
Seeing the sand table made by Yan Qingqing was a pleasant surprise.
However, he still politely bowed to Yan Qingqing and said, "Greetings, Aunt. Something just held me up, so I am late. Please forgive me."
Yan Qingqing said with a smile, "We're all family, no need to be so polite. Anyway, it's not anything important for your aunt. Besides, I feel like Mo Chen has grown quite a bit taller."
Xiao Mochen immediately flashed a bright white smile and said, "To be honest, Auntie, I'm actually ten years old this year."
"I used to be short because I was poisoned, but don't worry, Auntie, the poison has been neutralized now."
Yan Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief and said, "So that's how it is. I knew you were growing up too fast."
Your aunt won't ask how you got poisoned, and she doesn't want to get involved in your past.
But if you ever call me "Auntie" in the future, I'll have a responsibility to protect you. So if you ever encounter difficulties, you must tell your Auntie, and your Auntie will do everything in her power to help you.
Yan Qingqing spoke sincerely, as if she truly regarded him as an ordinary child.
Xiao Mochen happily replied, "Okay, I will definitely ask my aunt for help if I encounter any difficulties in the future."
Yan Qingqing has no idea how much effort she will have to put in to earn money to keep this promise.
Yan Qingqing then introduced the sand table to Xiao Mochen, whose eyes lit up as he listened.
The two did not return to the mountain until dinner time.
Yan Qingqing sighed inwardly and ordered people to call back Li Xiangping, Li Xiang'an, and Li Xiangkang from the school.
Before dinner, Li Xiangjian finally spoke to Yan Qingqing, saying, "Mother, half a year has passed, and I should join the army."
Yan Qingqing took a deep breath and then asked, "When are you planning to leave?"
Li Xiangjian replied, "Tomorrow."
Yan Qingqing felt very reluctant to part with him. She knew that Li Xiangjian might leave, but she didn't expect it to be so soon.
Knowing that Yan Qingqing was upset, Li Xiangjian comforted her, "Mother, don't worry, I haven't wasted my time learning these past six months."
I am capable of protecting myself, and I won't act recklessly on the battlefield. I will act within my capabilities.
Yan Qingqing knew this was the path she had chosen for Li Xiangjian. Saying she couldn't bear to part with him now would seem a bit sentimental.
After pausing for a moment, he said, "Okay, I'll have Ruyi pack your things." Then he turned and went inside.
Li Xiangjian opened his mouth, wanting to say that he didn't need to bring so much stuff, but in the end, he didn't say it. It was all his mother's good intention.
Soon Li Xiangping and Li Xiang'an returned. The three brothers hadn't seen each other for a long time and naturally had a lot to talk about.
At this time, Li Xiangping and Li Xiang'an did not know that Li Xiangjian was going to join the army the next day. The two even joked that Li Xiangjian had become stronger and that they should join forces to have a match with him.
Li Xiangjian did not refuse, knowing that his two older brothers often exercised with their mother.
However, Li Xiangjian had put in a lot of hard work and had been guided by a specialist, so he was naturally incomparable to those two self-taught individuals.
After only a few rounds, both men were defeated. Li Xiangjian wanted to go again, but Li Xiang'an quickly waved his hand and said, "No more, no more, we admit defeat."
Li Xiangjian hadn't had enough of the fight, but seeing that neither of his brothers was a match for him, he had no choice but to give up.
When it got dark, Li Xiangkang returned home. As soon as he entered the house, he called out anxiously, "Mom, Mom, I'm back. Why did you rush me home? What happened at home?"
Today wasn't supposed to be Li Xiangkang's day off, but his mother sent someone to bring him back overnight. When he asked Ah Si, who picked him up, what had happened at home, Ah Si knew nothing.
Therefore, Li Xiangkang was quite uneasy throughout the journey.
Yan Qingqing came out when she heard Li Xiangkang's voice and said in a serious tone, "Where has the composure and demeanor of a scholar gone?"
Li Xiangkang immediately straightened his posture and said, "Mother, I was just in a hurry."
Yan Qingqing then calmly said, "It's nothing, it's just that our family hasn't eaten together for a long time."
Your third brother is leaving on a long trip tomorrow, so he's inviting you all to have a meal together.
Li Xiangkang fell silent upon hearing this. He knew his third brother was planning to join the army, but he didn't expect it to be so sudden.
Li Xiangkang remained silent for a moment before saying, "I'm going to find Third Brother."
After saying that, she ran into Li Xiangjian's courtyard. Yan Qingqing glanced at her and then went back to her room.
She took out a set of protective soft armor from her wardrobe. She had it specially made at the blacksmith's shop some time ago and had kept it at the very back of her chest.
Then he took another two thousand taels of silver notes and put them into the bundle.
She didn't plan to bring Li Xiangjian too much stuff, as long as she had money, he could buy anything he wanted.
Just as Yan Qingqing finished tidying up, Yuan Huiniang came in and said, "Mother, dinner is ready."
My husband and the others are all waiting for Mother to serve dinner.
When Yan Qingqing arrived at the canteen, all the children were sitting there neatly waiting. Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Everyone's here, let's start eating."
The meal wasn't as sad as I'd imagined.
Li Xiangjian told them about some things that happened during training, while Li Xiangkang talked about some interesting things that happened in the school.
The family enjoyed a harmonious dinner together.
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Li Xiangjian was about to leave. The Li family all got up very early. Yan Qingqing handed him the packed bundle. Li Xiangjian picked up the weightless bundle and his lips twitched. The bundle his mother had packed for him was too "shallow".
As the eldest sister-in-law, Yuan Huiniang, the head daughter-in-law of their family, also packed a package for Li Xiangjian, and then handed him two hundred taels of silver notes, instructing him: "Second brother, a poor family needs to be frugal on the road, so don't be reluctant to spend it."
Li Xiangjian declined, but Yan Qingqing said, "If your sister-in-law is giving it to you, then take it. Don't let her kindness go to waste."
Li Xiangjian then accepted the gift, gave everyone a deep look, and then turned and mounted his horse, galloping away.
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